Sunday, October 24, 2010

Favorite Freebie Finishes

Hello everyone! Can you believe we're down to the final week in October? I don't know about you, but I'm not at all ready for the cold and snow that will be with us before too long. It didn't hit me until I was putting this post together that each of the things I have to show you today is a freebie! I love freebies and think they're great ways for designers to introduce us to their charts. First up is a new design called Quaker 31 from San-Man Originals.

I can't remember when I enjoyed stitching a design so much--I just loved every stitch in this one! There are so many details in it--the checkered cat, the black bat with his yellow eyes, all of those pumpkins and scary words--it was just a fun, fun piece! I stitched Quaker 31 "over one" on 28 ct. summer khaki lugana using DMC threads 301, 725, 520, and 310 and made it into a little pillow with some orange and black paisley fabric, black ric-rac, and a yellow button. What do you think?

I know most of you will recognize my next finish as "Snowman's Quaker Christmas" from Midnight Stitching. It is an old freebie which doesn't seem to be available online any longer, unfortunately. Since blue is my favorite color, I changed him from the traditional red/green combo to Crescent Colors "Blue Moon."

Most of you know that I've been stitching an ornament a month and this is my finish for September (yes, I'm a bit behind!). For this smiling guy, I used 32 ct. flax Belfast linen and bordered him with Mill Hill Glass seed beads (color 02087). This was only the second time I've attempted a beaded edge, but it went well and I'm very happy with the result. I think he'll make a great addition to my snowman tree this December!

Next on the freebie finishes list is my ornament for the month of October (see, I caught up!!). This design by 123 Citrouille can be found right here: Noel Freebie. Would you believe this was my first ever red and white finish? I loved it! It was also the first time I used DMC 115--what a great thread--I finally see why you've all been raving about it!

I left out the bottom band of the original chart because the ornament was becoming too big for me (plus I was getting lazy!). The finished hanging pillow is backed by the red and black patterned fabric you see behind it and trimmed with some red and white checked ribbon and those "antique" buttons (purchased at Joann Fabrics!) for accents. I think this is one of my favorite ornament finishes of the year. ..

In an effort to keep track of my favorite freebies, I've added a new list to my sidebar. Just look for this photo collage of some of my favorites and you can link to the charts yourself. And what about you? Do you have any favorite freebies? I'd love to hear what yours are--who knows, your favorites might just become some of mine, too. With everyone trying to save money in this economy, it's nice to know that with some scraps of linen and a few threads we can all create something special for next to nothing. Thanks so much to all of you designers out there who share your talents with us--we really appreciate it!

Finally--just look what appeared in my mailbox this week...this beautifully stitched RAK from dear Catherine. Now, Catherine doesn't have a blog (yet, anyway--keep encouraging her!!), but I know many of you know her as a "super commenter!" She is one of the most loyal and sincere commenters on more blogs than just about anyone I know. Catherine stitched this Sampler Girl design, called "The Empty Nest," for me after reading one of my posts about my youngest son flying the nest--and yes, her gift made me cry. She personalized it by adding a third bird to represent my three sons and even coffee-dyed her own fabric! I just love the verse on it:

"Farewell, my birds, farewell, adieu,I happy am, if well with you."

And, isn't the verse so true? If all is right with our kids, we are happy indeed; after all, as the old saying goes: "A mother is only as happy as her least happy child." Of course, the librarian in me took over and did some research and I discovered that these are the last two lines in a poem titled "In Reference to Her Children, 23 June 1659" written in the 17th century by Anne Bradstreet. The poet is writing about her sadness at her children leaving the nest one by one--all eight of them!

I think what touched me most, besides the fact that someone I've never met stitched this lovely pillow ornament for me, is the fact that Catherine gave up her precious free time to make this gift. You see, Catherine, also the mother of three boys, is living my life of 15 years ago: the sports practices and games, the Scouting events, the music lessons, the multiple-times-a-week trips to the grocery store to feed her rapidly growing brood. Throw in the daily cooking, cleaning, laundry, counseling, homework help, refereeing the inevitable disagreements and roughhousing that a house of men includes and you have one busy mom. So, thank you, Catherine--your gift means more to me than you know and I am truly touched by your kindness...It has a special place of honor in my family room.Well, that's about it for today... I'm not looking forward to the upcoming week. We are getting a new roof put on our house so things will be in an uproar (am I the only one who hates having workmen around?), but at least we'll have it installed before winter starts. Thanks again for your wonderful comments--I know each one takes time to write and for that reason, they mean all the more to me :) Bye now...

Carol, I feel as if I am at a needlework show every time I visit your blog. I just love all of your finishes and the special little details you put into each and every one of them. I love freebies too and really appreciate the designers who offer them. Now you have me wanting to stitch something with DMC 115. :o)

Catherine is a real sweetie for making that pillow for you. It is gorgeous and so fitting for us mothers. Maybe if we keep after her she will have a blog soon and we can see ALL her lovely finishes and her cute boys too. :o)

Just love love all your finishes. As usual! You always do amazing work. :)I haven't time for any freebies lately because I'm always so durn behind on stitching things out of my stash! lolol I have quite a few printed out/saved up on my computer though. I should try doing nothing but freebies one year and see how it goes. I know my WALLET would certainly like it! :)

wow so many beautiful ornament finishes and I can't believe those are all freebies, we are so lucky for the designers to share these with us alllovely gift, and the saying is beautiful, my eldest son has left for uni, and this is hard enough for me to deal with

please don´t worry about the workmen, I know about all the mess, and how notnice it is to have your house not to yoursell, letalone the mess, but believe me, it will be all right.want my secret recipy ?feed them coffee, lots and lots of coffee, don´t hang over there shoulder, just act very blond and say ; if you need me just yell.and believe me, they will do evrything for you !good luck !

Love all your finishes. I like the SanMan Quaker. The orange fabric makes it pop.I still haven't stitched my snowman freebie. yours is so cute, makes me want to stitch him up.You received a beautiful gift from Catherine.

What a fabulous group of finishes. Everying is lovely. AND.... thank you so much for the freebie hint. I LOVE the snowman and he will be perfect for 2 gift exchanges I need to do. (NOT the one you know about, so no secrets were given away in this comment...lol.) Even before I scrolled down and saw your beaded edging, that's exactly how I was picturing it. Pam

I adore your Halloween ornament. It's too cute! I love freebies too. I think some of my favourites are from the French designers such as the ones at gazette 94 blog. I did a Noel tree freebie several years ago but the chart is no longer available. What a beautiful and thoughtful gift Catherine has given you! Aren't stitchers the greatest?

Carol,I am so happy that you like your surprise. I had a couple of helping hands in getting this to you - my thanks goes out to Karyn for passing on the pattern and to Myra for sneaking me your address so I could truly surprise you.

I love all of your ornaments and your finishes. I am off now to print those patterns that I don't already have. Thank you so much for sharing the links!

Carol, very lovely stitching you did, and such a beautifull finishes you made of them...Thank you so much for the freebie link, I love stitching them too..What a beautifull Rak you got, a very sweet gift.Good luck with the workmen, hope they finish your roof very soon..

Beautiful finishes, Carol. Love the Halloween pillow, the cute snowman little ornament.. and also your first red and white project. I love them all. Thanks for sharing all those beautiful freebies. I'm thinking of creating some freebies for my followers too... still drafting some illustrations.

everything looks great Carol.....love the sanman one too!!!Thanks for taking the time to list all of the freebies on the side bar....I KNOW that took a long time to do...but also know everyone will appreciate it....I can already see by how many comments you have received!!!

Love your latest stitching Carol. Also a lot of the things you said I could really relate to . Right down to the new roof! We had one done in the spring . I agree about the workmen! Glad all is well and love your latest mail . What a beautiful pillow!

I love all your freebies, but the redwork has to be my favourite. I think DMC 115 is a great thread too! Catherine has sent you a really sweet gift and I do hope the workmen don't give you too much of a headache :)Happy stitching.

Whaou ! Carol !!! I love all your freebies, especially the Noël Quaker Snowman... It is so adorable and I love the finish with pearls !!!!!Yes ! we are already at the end of October ! and, here, in France, near Paris, it is cold !!!!! Twins are in holidays... They are so happy !Hugs !

I'm with you on the workmen thingie. We recently had some work done and were discussing which of us needed to take off work, me or DH? The contractor said, "No one really needs to be here for us to do it."

Like H*LL! Are they insane? No one's being in my house without me here! Oh well, I got five days off work to stitch!

Hi Carol,Think I will have to download that halloween freebie, it is fab. Halloween never even existed when I was young but every year it is becoming more and more popular here. We have Guy Fawkes night on 5th November but hey, two celebrations are better than one! What a lovely gift you received and so very thoughtful. Good luck with the roof, we had that done on one of our previous homes. The dust gets everywhere even places you wouldn't think dut could get!All the best,Shirley

I love your version of Quaker Snowman! I just printed out the pattern and am writing down the CC Blue Moon, as I want to stitch it just like yours! Great finish! Who says everything Xmas related has to be red and green?

oh no, i love to have the workman around it means the work goes on...haven't seen them today as the cement have to dry but we were instructed to do something but was too heavy for hubby so he gave up and called for assistance for next week.

Your freebies are so pretty. Glad to see your are finishing your pieces right away. One of my favorite pieces is Friendship Grows. I don't like having any work done to my home, but it is necessary at times. You have been busy stitching.

I'm late in finding your blog and am just amazed at all the beautiful ornaments you make. I love the links you've posted for the freebies, thank you so much. I've been printing and making plans for 2013 and have lots of stitching to do to accomplish my goals. I also love how you did the beaded finished edge on the Snowman's Quaker Christmas. I've never done a beaded edge and was wondering if you've got any hints on how to accomplish this? Oh heck, I'd love it if you ever had the chance to post tutorials on how you finish your ornaments. Thanks again and Happy Stitching in 2013,Kath

Welcome!

Welcome ~ I'm so glad you've dropped in for a visit! I love getting to know fellow cross stitchers from around the world, discovering new stitching blogs, and being inspired by your work. I hope you enjoy your visit today and thanks for taking the time to say "hello!"Carol